Steering mechanism for vehicles.



A. P. ROCKWBLL. STEERING MEGEANISM Eon VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED BOY. 3, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented May 18, 1909.

A. F. ROGKWBLL. STEERING MBGEANISM FOR VEHICLES. urmou'lox FILED nov.a.1so5.

922,044. Patented May 18, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2A will:

Suwnfn:

descri tion',

UNITED s'rAfijEs PATENT oE-EICE. y

CONNECTICUT, SSIGNOR TO THE NEW DEPARTURE ALBERT F. ,aocKwELn or Bnis'roi.,

eaIs'roL, CONNECTICUT, A coRPonATIoN or con.

MANUFAQTURING COMPANY, OF

NEUIICUT.

STEERING MBUHANIBH FOB VEHICLES..

Bpeeieation of Letters Patent. Patented Kay 18, 1909. VApplication mcd November a, i905. Serial No. 886,750.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a motor vehicle to which my invention is ap lied. Fig. 2 is an end View of a ortion o a vehicle including the brackets and the steering cylinder as well as the connections for the rockable elements which actuate the Wheels. Fig. 3 is an end view of the vehicle and the steerin appurtenances. Fig. 4 is an enla ed detai 'view artly in elevation and part y in section of t e steering controller; and Fi 5 is a fragmentary sectional view throng the steel-in device which is in communication with t e controller.

. The form of vehicle framing to which I have illustrated my invention as being applied includes a body frame A supported upon springs 1-1 mounted on front and rear axle trees 2-2 carrying axleswhich support To all whom 'it may Be it known that concern:

I ALBERT F. RocKwELL, a citizen of the United States, residi at Bristol, county of Hartford, State of Aonnecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Steering Mechanism for Vehicles, of which the following is a full clear and exact such as enable others skillet in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speci cation.

This invention relates to a steering mechanism for vehicles, and in order to illustrate the application thereof, I have shown it as being applied to a motor vehicle.

One of the objects of the invention is to rovide a fluid actuated means for controlin the direction of movement of avehicle to which the invention is applied. the Wheels 3-3. 75 Another object of the invention is to pro 4-4 desi ate cross bars which comprise vide a fluid actuated steering means w ich art ofthe rame A and which in the present instance are designed to support a tank 5 having communication with a suitable source of motive iluid su ply (preferably air or gas) not shown. Leading from the reservoir or tank 5 is a ipe or tubular connection 7 through which communication ma be had between the tank 5 and the contro er.

The preferred form of controller is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4 as comprising a plurality of cylinders 8-8 in communication with the tube 7 through the medium of a T coupling 9, said cylinders also being connected by a rigid connection 10. By referrin to Fig. 4 it will be observed that theT coupin 9 is in communication with one end of eac c linder, and the communicating end is clyosed b a movable screw-plug 11. Spaced a suitab e distance from the cap 1 1 and within each cylinder 8 is a ring 12 having a conical valve seat for the reception of a conical valve 12". By spacing the ring and valve away from the plug 11, so that iii each case thering and plu are on opposite sides of the inlet port of eac cylinder, provide a chamber 12 for the introduction of the fiuid and inasmuch as there is free communication between thc. supply reservoir and the cylinders 8-8, the valves d12b are assisted in normally remaining seated so as to prevent the fluid from passing beyond the ring as will be presently explained.

Each valve 12b is illustrated as having a stem 13 which projects away from the cap '11 110 may be efficiently controlled by the o erator, so as to cause the steering wheels to ecome responsive to the will of the operator through said fluid actuated means.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby all four wheels of a vehicle may be simultaneously turned, whereby the vehicle may be enabled to scribe an arc in a comparatively short space and in such a manner that any liability of any of the Wheels skidding in making the turn will be avoided.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for holdingx the wheels in any position in which they ave been set, either when the vehicle is moving in a straight course or when the Wheels are moving in an arc.

It is also the object of my invention to pro vide means whereby the liability of the steering mechanism to become unmanageable by getting out of order will be avoided, and it is also t e purpose of my invention to provide means for quickly exhausting the motive fiuid when occasion demands.

Other objects and advantages as well as the novel details of construction will be s ecically set iorth hereinafter, it being un erstdod that changes of form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departin from the spirit of this invention or sacri cing any of the advantages thereof.

and into the elongated portion of the cylinder beyond the ringl 12 and into n. chamber X. 0n the end of the stem 13 distant from the valve 12b is a head comprising a perforated disk 14 having an outstanding periph eral ihinge which bears against a freely movable plug or piston 15 having a centrally arranged lon itudinal port 16, lwhich communicates wit a chamber 14 formed by the ilange of the head 14 which abuts against said piston 15. 'lhc outer end of the piston is flared, that is, it is provided with a flared recess 16 in communication with the port 16. In the flared recess of the piston 16 is a semi-spherical valve 17 having a stem 18 which projects through the end 18 of cach cylinder, which end 18"L is normally closed exce t for the exhaust ports 18h therein whicli are provided for the purpose .of permitting a free exhaust of the motive fluid under certain conditions to be hereinafter made ap arent.

lach stem 18 is guided through the constricted end 19 of its particular cylinder. 20 designates springs of which there is one in each cylinder, and each spring has one end bearing against the ring 12', and the other end against the head of the stem 13, so as to,

normally keep the valve 12" seated and prevent the motive fluid from the reservoir passing from the chamber 12 up through the cylinder. A port 21 is provided in each cylinder beyond the valve seat, and communieating with said orts are tubular connections or pi es 22 t rough which fluid may be introduc into the steering cylinder 23. The manner of introducing the uid into the cylinder 23 through the tubular connections 22 is under the control of the operator, who may manipulate the handle 26.0n the shaft 24 carrying the rocking arms 25-25 to engage the stems 18-18 of the controller, so as to release the valves 12b from their seats and permit a free passage of the fluid from one of the chambers 12 -into the chambers X and thence through the tubular connections 22.

The devices for steering the wheels are illustrated as consisting of rockable elements 30, contained within the tubular supports 27 which are connected to the respective axletrees by the supporting brackets 28. By connecting the tubular supports 27 to the brackets which are supported by the axletrees 2 2, and forming them of tubular construction, they are ermitted to serve a dual purpose, that is tliey not only act as supports for the rdckable elements, Abut they also serve the purpose of reaches for conneet' the two axle-trees to ether. On the endend? the respective rocka le elements are rock arms 31, which are connected to the arms 33 of the respective wheels by the links 32, it being understood that the Wheels are permitted to have a horizontal pivotal movement. In order to actuate the rock- `able elements l have through vdesirable to actuate the wheels so as illustrated means coingrising the racknts 34 carried by the supports 27, said cylinder 23 being arranged intermediate the ends of the vehicle and transversely of the frame thereof. The cylinder 23 is what might properly be termeda compartmental cylinder, in that it is provided with a central compartment c, d, and end com artments a and b. The compartments or 1 ivisions are made in the cy inder by the partitions 35-35, each artition having a communicating port 37 w ereby communication may be had between the respective com artments c andb with the compartment c, 'lhe partitions 35 which are provided with flanges are heldin place by the screws 36 which pass through the walls of the cylinder 23 and through the Hang-es of the respective partitions, said screws being adapted to enter the ports 37, so that the screws may be manipuated to increase or decrease the size of the assaes through which communication may e ha between the respective compartments of the cylinder. Ths reference numeral 39 designates a piston-rod which passes through the respective ends 38 of the cylinder 23 and throug the partitions 35 in said cylinder. The piston-rod carries, intermediate its ends, a piston 40 which is slidable in the central compartment of the cylinder. The ends of the iston rod 39 are connected to depending cran -arms 43 thro h the medium of links 42, said crank-arms ing in turn supported on the rockable elements 30 and extending appropriate slots 29 in the said casing 27. has been heretofore explained the tubular connections 22 are in communication with the cylinder 23 and such communication is preferably had through the medium of the inlet ports 41-41 leading into the compartments a and b respectively. In actual practice I prefer to utilize air or as in combination with a suitable liquid, the atter being referably an oil. The liquid will be of s cient uantity to practically lill the entire centra? com artment, so that when the piston 40 shoul happen to be at the extreme end of its stroke, to turn the wheels in 1 one direction, the said central com artment would be .practically filled with t e oil or other liquid; also in this event either the compartment a or the compartment b of the cylinder 23 would be practically empty of the liquid, altho h a suitable actuating iluid would have ta en its place.

Sup osing all of the parts to be properly assemgled and in roper working order, the o eration ht e described as follows: ereservoir having been pro erl charged with uid such as air or gas an it ecoming to make the vehicle deviate from a straight path, the operator might rasp the hand e 26 so as ,to rock the contro element having tappet cylinder 23 which is supported on seated sufficiently -from the reservoir sop normally keep arr Z5-25, which rocking would depress one of the stems 18 and leave the other free. By depressing one of the stems 18 its coperating piston 15 would be de ressed carrying with it the valve 12b whici would be unto permit an inrush of air through the chamber 12 into the chamber X and out through the port 21. The continued iassage of this air through one of the tubu ar connections or pi es 22 into the cylinder 23 through either ports 1l-41, would cause pressure to be exerted upon the lirlid with the result that said liquid would ow through one of the communicating ports 37 in one of the artitions 35 and exert pressure against one ace of the piston. The rapidity with which the liquid would flow from either the chamber a or b through the port 37 into the central compartment would necessarily depend upon the size of either of the openings 37. It is obvious that the size of the openings 37 could be regulated to a nicety by adjusting lthe screws 36.

It has been said hetofore that the valves 17 were freely movable valves, therefore, it would follow that if one of the stems 18 should be lde ressed so as to unseat its cooperating va ve 12b, the other valve in a corresponding cylinder would be practically free. However, the valve 12b in the cylinder in which the free valve 17 was located would remain seated, so that the pressure from the exhausting side of the cylinder 23 could exhaust from one of the pipes 22 through the port 21, through-the perforate head 14, thence through the port 16'* and out through the iared portion of its piston 15, unseatin the valve 17 for that purpose. It will, t erefore, be seen that when pressure is admitted 'to one side of the piston 40 it is fully relieved on the opposite side, and attention is also directed to the fact that by the arrangement heretofore described I am enabled to provide for an efficient control of the steering mechanism with a minimum number of arts. The respective ports 41 together Wit their pipes 22 and the ports 21 in the cylinders 8-8 become alternately suply and exhausts. A ractical advantage resu ting from the nove arrangement of my invention wherein the resppctive cylinders 8-8 may exhaust to atmosp ere is that an liability of dangerfrom parts becoming bro enwiil be avoided. It will be ap arent that in the present form of the contro er, the springs 20 the valves 12b seated. By the construction illustrated, however, I am enabled to provide against accident on account of disarrangement of the parts. For example, if one or more of the sprin 20 became roken so as to permit the va ve or valves 12b to become unseated and thereby accidentally admit air pressure from the source of su ply through the chamber 12 and into the c amber X, said air would be permitted to exhaust throughthe flared plortion 16 of the piston 15 by unseating t e valve 17. When pressure is beingapp ied to one side of the piston 40, the valve 17, in the cylinder 8, through which the pressure is being communicated to the cylinder 23 will be kept seated by the action of one of thearms 25 bearn upon the stem 18, saidarm bein assiste. in maintaining the valve 17 seate through the medium of its spring 20 which will be under compression during the time that the valve l2b 1s unseated to admit pressure from the source of supply to the cylinder 23.

In view of the fact that the liquid is noncompressihle, it will be clear that after the piston 40 has been set so as to turn the wheels to the proper angle of inclination there will be but slight liability of the angle being destroyed except when ressure is relieved by the operator, the flui within the compartment c, d bein caplable of tending to hold the piston 10 rigtil owcver, if there is any movement of t e piston 40, the deflection of the Wheels from the path in which it is desired to turn them may be rectiiied by the o erator by manipulating the handle 26. It w1 l, of course, be clear that the longer either of the valves 12h remains unseated, the more pressure will be admitted to either the compartment a or b and the greater will be the movement of the piston 40. For example, by momentarily depressing one `of the stems 18 a slight amount of motive iiuid will be permitted to pass through the controller an into the cylinder 23 through the pipes 22 causing the Wheels to move on their pivots slightly, but should one of the valves '12b be unseated for a comparatively length period the movement ol' the piston 40 Wi be increased to such an extent that a comparatively larger swing will be imparted to the Wheels causing the vehicle to travel in a much smaller arc than it would travel if the valve Was only momentarily unseated. As soon as the turn is accomplished and it becomes desirable to bring the wheels into proper alinement, the lever 26 may be returned to its intermediate position whereupon the contacting arm 25 is moved away from its tap et valve and the tension of the spring 20 wi l return the valve to the position shown in Fig. 4 at the same time permitting the ressure which has been exerted against the llqxid to exhaust through the pi e 22 and out t rough the flared portion o the iston 15. What I c aim is:

' 1. In a vehicle, the combination with a supportin frame and sets of swinging traction mem ers, of oppositely disposed rock shafts, operative connection between each operation of the fluid actuated means.

of said rock shafts and one of said sets of traction members, and means under the; control of the operator for rocking saidl shafts.

2. In a vehicle, the combination with supporting frame and swinging traction members, of oppositely disposed rock shafts operative connection between each of sai rock shafts and one of said traction members, and a motor under the control of the operator and including a piston intermediate said rock'shafts and having its opposite ends in o erative connection with sald re spective s afts.

3. In a vehicle, the combination with a swinging traction member and a supporting frame including spaced frame members, of

a hollow casing connecting said frame members, a rock shaft in said casing and operatively connected to said traction member, and means for rocking said shaft.

4. In a vehicle, the combination with a swinging traction member frame including front and brackets upon said axle trees, a hollow casing supported by said brackets a rock shaft in said casing and operatively connected with said traction member, and means for rocking said shaft.

5. A mechanism capable of use as a steering gear comprising'a movable memberI a slotted casing, a shaft received in the casmg and connected with the member, an arm carried by the shaft and extending through the slot, a fluid actuated means connected with the arm, and means for controlling the rear axle trees, of

6. A mechanism capable of use as a steering gear, comprisi one plane, a secon member movable in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of the first named member, a hooked clement carried by the second named member, a connecting means secured to the hooked element and connected with the first named member, the connecting means extendin transversely to both members, fluid actuate means connected with the second named member, and means for controlling the operation of the fluid actuated means.

7. A mechanism capable of use as a steering gear comprising a movable member, a cylinder divided into a plurality of series of liquid containing compartments, the compartments in" each series communicating, a fluid actuated piston dividing one series from the other series, a rod to which the piston is secured means connecting the rod member and means for controlling the operation of the piston.

8. A mechanism capable of use as a steering gear comprising a cylinder, stationary apertured division lates and a piston loand the movable and a supporting a member movable in cated therein, the p ates and piston dividing regulating the size of the apertures, the compartments adapted to contain a liquid, one

compartment in each series provided with a port for admitting a fluid motive power, a movable member, means connecting the movable member and piston, and means for controlling the admission of fluid motive power to the ports.

9.- The combination in a steering mechanism,.with a movable element, of a comartment cylinder ada ted to contain a iquid, a piston subdividlfng one of the compartments, the remaining compartments provided with ports, communications between the last named compartments andthe respective subdivided compartments, means for controlling the admission of fluid motive power to the c lirrder, and means connecting the piston an the movable member.

10. The combination with a vehicle provided with a plurality of movable members, of means connecting the movable members in series, a non-com ressible fluid o erated means connected Witli the first named? means for actuating the movable members simultaneously, and a compressible means controlling the actuation of the fluid operated means.

11. In a steering mechanism, the combination with a cylinder having oppositely located ports and a piston'withm the cylinder, of apertured division members located on opposite sides of the piston, the cylinder a apted to contain a liquid,l and means for regulating the size of the apertures.

.12. In a steering mechanism, the combination with a cylinder having orts and a piston located within the cylin er, of apertured division members sides of the piston and with the piston subdividing the cylinder into compartments, the compartments adapted to contain a liquid, and means for admitting motive power to the ports.

' 13. In a mechanism adapted for use as a steering gear, the combination with a fluid actuated member, and a Huid motive power supplg, of a controller comprising a valve cham er in communication with the supply, means in the chamber for normally closing the communication, means connecting the valve chamber and member, and means operable at will for controlling communication between the su ply and the member.

14. The com mation with a fluid actuated member, and a fluid motive power supply, of a controller comprising a chamber, separate communications between the chamber and the supply, and the chamber and the member respectively, a valve in the chamber normally adapted to close the communication located on opposite b en the supply and the me ns operable at will for controllingl the valve.

15. The combination with a iiuid actuated member and a supply adapted. to communicate therewith, of a controller interposed in the communication, the controller comprising a chamber in communication with the supply and the member, a valve in the chamber, means normally retaining the valve in 'osition to cut ofi` communication between t 1e sup ly and the member, means operable at will' or controlling the valve, and means fo'r permitting the escape of the fluid motive power subsequently to the operation of the first named means.

16. The combination with a fluid actuated member, and a fluid motive power supply, of a controller in communication with the member and the supp-ly, the controller comprising a i:perforated c amber, means in the chamber or opening or closing the communication, a hollow free piston in the chamber, adapted to contact with said means, means controlling the passage of fluid motive power through thepiston, and means operable at will for controlling the first named means.

17. The combination with a fluid actuated member, and a supply of a controller comprising a pair of chambers communicating with the supply, separate communications extending betweenthe fluid actuated member and the res ective chambers,the chambers each provi ed with an eX- haust orifice in communication with the fluid actuated member, means controlling the last named communication, and means operable at will [or controlling the communication between the su ply'and the member.

18. The com ination with a' fiuid actuated member and a supply of motive power, of a controller in communication with the supply, a separate conveying member leading from the controller to opposite sides of the ,fluid actuated member, the controller provided with an exhaust orifice, a valve in the controller for opening or closin commun'ioation between the supply and t e fluid' actuated member, a perforated membercarried with the valve, a hollow free piston in the controller' abutting the erforated member, a tappet valve adapte to open or close the passage through the piston, and an arm operable at will for en a ing the ta pet to control the position o t e valve, t e arm also operating 4to cause the tappet to close the passage through the piston when the communication between the supplyr and the fluid actuated member is o en.

' 19. The combination wit a fluid actuated element and a supply of motive ower, of a controller in communication wit the supply and with the element, the controller provided with an exhaust port, a movable memniomber, and

l' motive power,

ber in tl ic controller constituting a valve seat, means for normally closing the communication between thc supply and the element, a valve means cooperating with the movable valve seat for controlling the exhaust port and means acting upon t e valve means and movable valve seat for controlling the position of the first namedmeans.

20. '.lhe combination with a fluid actuated element and a motive power supply,vof a controller in' communication with the supply and provided with an exhaust port 1n communication with the element, a valve structure controlling the communication be- 'tween'the element and the exhaust port, a

second valve structure controlling the communication between the supply and the element, and means operable at will for engaging and closin the first named valve strucure to open t e second named valve strucure.

21. The combination with a fluid actuated element and a motive power supply, of a controlling member in communication with the supply and with the element respectivel an inlet valve in the member, the mem er provided with an exhaust port, a hollow piston engagin the inlet valve and having a seat forme therein, a movable valve receivable in the seat and ada ted to Aclose the communication between lille element and the Vexhaust port, and a rocking arm operable at will for engaginur the movable valve to close the latter open the inlet valve or for releasing both valves.

22. V In a vehicle and incombination with the steering device thereof, a fluid motor connected to said steering device, a source of fluid supply, and' a controller interposed between said motor and said supply, said controller comprising a casing having two chambers each of which is provided with an exhaust port, an inlet port in comm ication with said supply and a port intermec iate the .inlet and cx aust ports and communicating with one side of -s'aid motor, and means whereby when the inlet port of one of said chambers is open the exhaust port thereof is closed and theexhaust port of the other of said chambers is o en.

23. A controller'V or a fluid actuated member the controller provided with inlet and outlet ports, separate valves movable toward and from the ports, one valve being movable relative to the other valve, an( separate means for moving one valve into closed position and the other valve into open position and for closing the open valve and releasing the closed va ve respectiv ly.

p 24. A controller for a fluid actuated member comprising a pair of chambers insepara'te communication with. the member, each chamber provided with an inlet and outlet port, separate valves controlling the ports, a

rocking means operable at will for closing one .too entheot leave one of them free to open when i moves of the valves land subsequently openin the remaining valve in 'one or the ot er o the chambers and means for closing the opened valve an returnin the closed valve when the rocking means as been moved away.A

25. A controller for a fluid operated member comprising a chamber provided with mlet and outlet orts, separato valves movable toward and) from the ports, asingle pi e extending between the chamber and t e, member and constituting an inlet and an exhaust passage, the outlet valve adapted to have a slight play relative to its seat, means for first closin one valve and then causing it lier valve, and separate means for c osing the valve so opened and returni the other valve to position when released by the first named means.

26. In a controller for a fluid actuated member, a chamber having inlet and outlet orts, an inlet valve movable toward and rom the port, a movable valve seat-for actuatingfthe inlet valve in one direction, an, outlet valve having a movement toward and from the movable valve seat and adapted to be unseated by ressure in the fluid actuated member when t e inlet valve is closed, and means for exertin pressure against the outlet valve to close t e latter and move'it and its seat against the inlet valve to open the latter.

27. A controller for mechanisms of the character indicated comprising a casing havtwo chambers each of which is provided with an inlet port an exhaust 'port and a port intermediate sai inlet and exhaust ports, means' forV introducing fluid to said inlet ports, and means whereby when the inlet port of a chamber is o en its exhaust port is closed and the exhaus port ofthe other said chamber is o en.

28. A con roller for mechanisms of.` the character indicated compris' a casing havin two .chambers each of which is provided with an inlet port an exhaust port and a port intermediate said inlet and exhaust ports, means for introducing fluid to said inlet ports, a valve for each of said inlet ports, a valve foreach of said exhaust orts, operative connection between each e 4ust valve and its coacting inlet valve for opening said inlet valve upon movement which holds said exhaust valve in port-clos' position, and a striker for said exhaust va ves ada ted to the other to open the inlet valve.-

29. In a controller of the character indicated afluid chamber hav' an inlet port an exhalmt port and a port in mediate said other ports, andmeans whereby when said inlet port is closed said exhaust port is open provi ed with a passage leading to said exsaid passage aust port, a valve controlling and movable to impart movement to said plunger, and operative connection between said plunger and said inlet valve.

32. The combination with `a vehicle and its steering device, of a steering mechanism compris' a movable element connected to said steering device, a body of non-comressible iluid u on each side of said movale element, an means for forcing a compressible fluid u on each said body of noncompressible fluid alternately and for quickly exhausting the compressible fluid on one side of the movable element when a compressible fluid is being forced upon the body of noncompressible fluid upon the opposite side of said movable element.

33. The combination with a vehicle and its steering device, .of a steerin mechanism comprising a casing, a movab e element in said cas' and connected to said steeri device, a ody of non-compressible fluid in said casing upon each side of said movable element, and means for introducing a compressible fluid 'into and exhausting the same rom said casin and upon each said body of non-compressib e fluid.

34. The combination with a vehicle and its steering device, of a steering mechanism comprising a housingi including an intermediate chamber and si e chambers at op osite ends of said intermediate chamber andpcommunicating therewith through relatively' small openings, a movable element in said intermediate chamber and o erativ'ely connected with said steering mec anism, a bod of non-compressible fluid in said intemerhate chamber upon each side 'of said movable element, and means for admitting a com- 4 pressible fluid into and exhausting the same rom each of the said side chambers.

In testimon whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature, in t e resence of two witnesses. AL ERT F. ROCKWELL. Witnesses:

CLARA H. Vooannns, Josera D. BaowN. 

